Black or White

In the Sistine chapel where frescos peep,
away from watchful devote eyes that weep,
a conclave gathers in reflection deep,
to choose a shepherd for gospels to keep.

Amidst partisan whispers, day and night,
behind closed doors, their sacred task in sight,
as God’s intercessions arouse their might,
where truth and faith commingle to shed light.

Alternate hues from chimneys rise profound,
an opera of prospects missing sound,
a scribble in silence heavenly bound,
in black or white, the church fate is found.

But, between the creases of priestly robe,
a shadow loiters, an ominous probe,
where the past rekindles under a strobe,
when hearts were shattered all over the globe.

The culprits’ scandals stain the sacred ground,
where trust and honor should always abound.
Yet, once these hidden horrors are unbound,
distrust will rile and redemptions compound.

So let the papal smoke ascend on high,
while prayers for their penance fill the sky.
In black or white we stop to question why,
and in God’s faith we find the strength to try

For ‘midst these tribulations there’s a ray,
a bright beacon of hope to light the way.
For the church leadership we kneel and pray,
for redemption to dawn on a new day.

06/04/2025

Pope Leo XIV has been elected 05/09/2025 - American Robert Prevost
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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